SALUTING SEASON – 206 (Ulster) Battery Royal Artillery

June is the traditional climax of the ceremonial year for 206 (Ulster) Battery, 105th Regiment Royal Artillery. Three Royal Gun Salutes in just over a week makes for a particularly busy period for the Ulster Gunners.

The series commenced with Coronation Day on 3rd June and the Battery had the pleasure of welcoming Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for County Antrim to inspect the saluting detachment and guns. Antrim Castle gardens provided ample space and scope for the public to view the 21 gun spectacle on an exceedingly pleasant day. 

Saturday 8th June was the centrepiece event of the Official Birthday of Her Majesty the Queen. Again, a 21 gun salute was fired at Hillsborough Castle which coincided with other events across the United Kingdom including Trooping the Colour on Horse Guards Parade. It was especially pleasing to welcome to Hillsborough gunner cap badge cadets and instructors from Coleraine Detachment, Breda Detachment and Down High School.

Lastly, on Monday 10th June another 21 rounds were fired at Hillsborough Castle in celebration of the 96th birthday of the Duke of Edinburgh with Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County Borough of Londonderry visiting as inspecting officer.  Following the salutes, the three ceremonial guns, which are converted operational 105mm field guns, are serviced and meticulously cleaned and polished in preparation for the next scheduled ceremonial event – the birthday of HRH Prince of Wales in November.